Garment with a drawstring for raising a back portion

ABSTRACT

A garment with a drawstring for raising a back portion is disclosed. An example embodiment includes a main body having a front side and a rear side, the main body including sleeves, a collar, and a slit between the front side and the rear side of the main body; a casing integrated into the rear side of the main body, an upper end of the casing extending from a lower edge of at least one of the sleeves, a lower end of the casing terminating at a lower edge of the rear side of the main body; and a drawstring threaded through the casing and attached at a lower end to the lower edge of the rear side, the drawstring being configured to lift the lower edge of the rear side when the drawstring is pulled at the upper end of the casing, the drawstring being configured to allow the lower edge of the rear side to return to a non-lifted position when the drawstring is released at the upper end of the casing.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed subject matter relates to the field of garments and apparel, particularly although not exclusively, to a patient garment for use in health care.

COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. The following notice applies to the disclosure provided herein and to the drawings that form a part of this document: Copyright 2014-2016, Jon Rivera; All Rights Reserved.

BACKGROUND

Conventional hospital gowns are provided for patients to use when in the hospital, instead of the patient's normal clothes. There are several reasons for using hospital gowns, including: 1) Hospital gowns are more hygienic; the patient's own clothes may be dirty or contain bacteria; 2) Hospital gowns in some cases are made of paper or thin plastic and can therefore be incinerated, reducing the transmission of disease and infection; 3) Health care workers find that thin hospital gowns are convenient for listening to the heart and lungs of patients; 4) Nurses giving injections to patients find it easier when the patient is wearing a gown rather than their normal clothing; and 5) Hospital gowns are thinner and looser than normal clothing, so patients are less likely to overheat.

There are several types of known hospital gowns, including those for normal patient use and those for special use including, for example, bariatric gowns and maternity gowns. Known hospital gowns include rear opening clinic gowns and front opening kimono type gowns. Well-known rear opening hospital gowns are comprised of a single piece of fabric, having left and right sleeves, through which the arms can be fitted, and which is tied at the rear by one or more Velcro® type fastenings or one or more tie straps. A problem with the known hospital gowns of the rear opening or smock type is that the gown must be removed almost entirely for any procedure to the front body area. Further, when worn, the gowns generally do not cover the patient's private areas completely, and therefore lead to loss of dignity of the patient. This type of gown can leave part of the wearer's back and buttocks exposed. The well-known front opening gown is based on a kimono style, which is worn similarly to a coat or dressing gown, and which has two front flaps which cross over the body. A first front flap is secured by a tie strap near the right hip and a second front flap is secured by a second tie strip on the left hip, presenting externally. The gown is of a loose fitting and comfortable nature. However, this type of gown must be removed almost entirely when the patient uses the toilet. Known hospital gowns are made in a variety of colors and different fabrics and sizes for both female and male patients, and are used in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a front-snapping garment with vertical side drawstrings for raising a back portion of the garment according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of a front-snapping garment with vertical side drawstrings for raising a back portion of the garment according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of a front-snapping garment with vertical side drawstrings with a back portion of the garment raised by use of the vertical side drawstrings according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of a front-snapping garment with diagonal side drawstrings for raising a back portion of the garment according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear view of a front-snapping garment with diagonal side drawstrings with a back portion of the garment raised by use of the diagonal side drawstrings according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of a top sleeve-snapping garment with a shirt tail bottom, a telemetry pocket, and vertical side drawstrings for raising a back portion of the garment according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a rear view of a top sleeve-snapping garment with a shirt tail bottom and vertical side drawstrings for raising a back portion of the garment according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates a rear view of a double ‘V’ collar garment with a shirt tail bottom and diagonal side drawstrings for raising a back portion of the garment according to an example embodiment; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram representing a sequence of operations performed in a method according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the disclosed subject matter can be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosed subject matter.

According to various example embodiments of the disclosed subject matter as described herein, there is disclosed and claimed a garment with a drawstring for raising a back portion of the garment to facilitate the wearer's use of a toilet. The various embodiments as described herein can be used for hospital gowns, garments for the elderly or infirm, or apparel for those with limited mobility. The example embodiments disclosed herein provide a garment, which allows easy access to a patient's rear body areas without removal of the garment, and whilst at the same time being comfortable to use, and maintaining a patient's modesty and dignity. The example embodiments presented herein provide a more acceptable garment to a patient, which is comfortable to wear, adjustable by the patient, and dignified and practical for health care workers and patients alike.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a front-snapping garment 100 with vertical side drawstrings for raising a back portion of the garment according to an example embodiment. The garment 100 includes a plurality of snaps or fasteners 105 down the front of the garment to close the front of the garment 100. The garment 100 includes a straight cut bottom or lower edge. In the example embodiment, a rounded style neck 107 is featured with a self-bias binding with an end loop for inserted tubing. The example embodiment also features short sleeves 109 stitched to a main body of the garment 100 in a standard fashion. The main body of the garment 100 provides a front side 110 as shown in FIG. 1 and a rear side 111 as shown in FIG. 2. The front side 110 of the main body is stitched to the rear side 111 of the main body at both sides of the garment 100. A side slit 114 is provided at lower side edges of the main body to provide a lower rear panel 112 (see FIG. 2) and to enable the rear panel 112 to be independently raised up or lifted without raising the lower edge of the front side 110.

The example embodiment of the garment 100 shown in FIG. 1 also includes two casings 120 sewn into each side of the garment 100. In another example embodiment, a single casing 120 could be provided instead of two casings. Each casing 120 provides a hollow opening through which a drawstring 122 can be inserted and slideably pulled. The drawstring 122 can be a twill tape, a string, a narrow portion of fabric, or other drawstring material, which can be threaded through the casing 120 and pulled through at an upper end of casing 120. A lower end of the drawstring 122 can be attached or sewn to a lower end of the rear panel 112. As a result, a wearer of the garment 100 can pull the upper end of the drawstring 122 at an upper end of casing 120 and through casing 120 to cause the lower end of the rear panel 112 to lift up toward the collar 107 (see FIG. 3). This lifting action causes the lifted lower end of the rear panel 112 to expose the posterior of the wearer. The lifting of the rear panel 112 of the garment 100 allows the wearer to easily use a toilet without soiling the garment 100 in the process. Once the wearer is finished with the use of the toilet, the wearer can release the upper end of the drawstring 122 at the upper end of casing 120 to allow the lifted rear panel 112 to relax and return to a non-lifted or lowered position wherein the posterior of the wearer is covered by the lowered rear panel 112. In this manner, the wearer can selectively draw up the drawstring 122 to lift the rear panel 112 while using the toilet and selectively release the drawstring 122 to lower the rear panel 112 when finished using the toilet. The example embodiment 100 allows the wearer to independently achieve access for their posterior side while retaining their privacy and dignity. The action of drawing up the drawstring 122 to lift the rear panel 112 can be easily accomplished, even by those wearers with limited mobility.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a rear view of the front-snapping garment with vertical side drawstrings for raising a back portion of the garment 100 according to an example embodiment. FIG. 2 illustrates the rear side 111 of garment 100 with the rear panel 112 in a relaxed, non-lifted or lowered configuration. FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of the front-snapping garment with vertical side drawstrings with a back portion of the garment 100 raised or lifted by use of the vertical side drawstrings 122 according to an example embodiment. In the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the vertical side drawstrings 122 are configured to enable a wearer to grab the upper end of drawstrings 122 at an upper end of casing 120 with each hand and pull the drawstrings 122 straight up to lift the rear panel 112. This configuration is readily manufacturable as the casing 120 can be conveniently stitched or otherwise integrated along the side seams of the garment 100.

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of a front-snapping garment 200 with diagonal side drawstrings 222 for raising a back portion or rear panel 212 of the garment 200 according to another example embodiment. The example embodiment 200 is similar in design to example embodiment 100 as described above, except the casing 220 of garment 200 is sewn or otherwise integrated into the rear side 211 of garment 200 in a diagonal or angular orientation. In garment 200, an upper end of the casing 220 extends from each side of the garment 200 near the armpit or lower edge of the sleeve. The lower end of the casing 220 terminates roughly half of the distance from a side of a lower edge of the garment 200 to a midpoint of the lower edge of the garment 200. A lower end of the diagonal side drawstrings 222 is attached to the rear panel 212. The drawstring 222 can slide through the casing 220 as the upper end of the drawstring 222 is pulled by a wearer. A side slit 114 is provided at the bottom of the main body 211 to provide the lower rear panel 212 and to enable the rear panel 212 to be independently raised or lifted up without raising the lower portion of the front side of the garment 200. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the diagonal side casings 220 and drawstrings 222 are configured to enable a wearer to grab the upper end of drawstrings 222 with each hand and pull the drawstrings 222 diagonally upward to lift the rear panel 212. This configuration can be more user-friendly as the diagonal orientation of the casing 220 can be easier for the wearer to grab the upper end of drawstrings 222 and pull up the drawstrings 222.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a rear view of the front-snapping garment with diagonal side drawstrings 222 for raising a back portion or rear panel 212 of the garment 200 according to an example embodiment. FIG. 4 illustrates the rear side 211 of garment 200 with the rear panel 212 in a relaxed, non-lifted or lowered configuration. FIG. 5 illustrates a rear view of the front-snapping garment with diagonal side drawstrings 222 with a back portion or rear panel 212 of the garment 200 raised or lifted by use of the diagonal side drawstrings 222 according to an example embodiment. The example embodiments 100 and 200 as described above enable a wearer to put on the garment and snap the snaps or fasteners 105 down the front of the garment to secure the garment to the wearer. The drawstrings (122 and 222) configured in the manner shown and described herein enable the wearer to conveniently and independently lift a rear panel (112 and 212) of the garment when using a toilet or otherwise needing to expose the posterior side of the wearer. The rear panel (112 and 212) can be lifted and lowered using drawstrings (122 and 222) without removing the garment and without unfastening the snaps or fasteners 105.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of a top sleeve-snapping garment 300 with a shirt tail bottom, a telemetry pocket 318, and vertical side drawstrings 322 for raising a back portion or rear panel 312 of the garment 300 according to an example embodiment. The example embodiment 300 is similar in design to example embodiments 100 and 200 as described above, except the garment 300 does not use front snaps or fasteners. Instead, the garment 300 can be put on by a wearer and secured to the wearer using snaps or fasteners 316 at a top edge of one of the sleeves 309 of garment 300. The top sleeve-snapping configuration of garment 300 allows the front portion 310 of garment 300 to be free of any opening or fasteners. The example embodiment 300 also differs from embodiments 100 and 200 by the use of a shirt tail lower edge of front portions 310 and rear portions 311 instead of a straight cut bottom or lower edge as used in garments 100 and 200. The shirt tail bottom provides a bit more coverage for the wearer. The example embodiment 300 also provides a telemetry pocket 318 on the front side 310 of the main body. The telemetry pocket 318 can be used to retain bioelectronics or patient monitoring equipment.

In the example embodiment 300 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a rounded style neck 307 is featured with a self-bias binding with an end loop for inserted tubing. The example embodiment also features short sleeves 309 stitched to a main body of the garment 300 in a standard fashion. The main body of the garment 300 provides a front side 310 as shown in FIG. 6 and a rear side 311 as shown in FIG. 7. The front side 310 of the main body is stitched to the rear side 311 of the main body at both sides of the garment 300. A side slit is provided at lower side edges of the main body to provide a lower rear panel 312 and to enable the rear panel 312 to be independently raised or lifted up without raising the lower portion of the front side 310.

The example embodiment of the garment 300 shown in FIG. 6 also includes two casings 320 sewn into each side of the garment 300. Another example embodiment can use a single casing instead of two or more casings. Each casing 320 provides a hollow opening through which a drawstring 322 can be inserted and pulled at an upper end of the casing 320. The drawstring 322 can be a twill tape, a string, a narrow portion of fabric, or other drawstring material, which can be threaded through the casing 320 and pulled through casing 320. A lower end of the drawstring 322 can be attached or sewn to a lower end of the rear panel 312. As a result, a wearer of the garment 300 can pull the upper end of the drawstring 322 at an upper end of the casing 320 and through casing 320 to cause the lower end of the rear panel 312 to lift up toward the collar 307. This lifting action causes the lifted lower end of the rear panel 312 to expose the posterior of the wearer. The lifting of the rear panel 312 of the garment 300 allows the wearer to easily use a toilet without soiling the garment 300 in the process. Once the wearer is finished with the use of the toilet, the wearer can release the upper end of the drawstring 322 to allow the lifted rear panel 312 to relax and return to a non-lifted or lowered position wherein the posterior of the wearer is covered by the lowered rear panel 312. In this manner, the wearer can selectively draw up the drawstring 322 to lift the rear panel 312 while using the toilet and selectively release the drawstring 322 to lower the rear panel 312 when finished using the toilet. The example embodiment 300 allows the wearer to independently achieve access for their posterior side while retaining their privacy and dignity. The action of drawing up the drawstring 322 to lift the rear panel 312 can be easily accomplished, even by those with limited mobility. The configuration of FIGS. 6 and 7 is readily manufacturable as the casing 320 can be conveniently stitched or otherwise integrated along the side seams of the garment 300.

FIG. 8 illustrates a rear view of a double ‘V’ collar garment 400 with a shirt tail bottom and diagonal side drawstrings 422 for raising a back portion or rear panel 412 of the garment 400 according to an example embodiment. The example embodiment 400 is similar in design to the example embodiments described above, except the garment 400 does not use front snaps or fasteners or sleeve snaps or fasteners. Instead, the garment 400 can be put on by a wearer and secured to the wearer using a collar tie in the double ‘V’ shaped collar 407 of garment 400. The collar tie and double ‘V’ shaped collar 407 configuration of garment 400 allows the front portion of garment 400 to be free of any opening or fasteners. The example embodiment 400 uses a shirt tail bottom or lower edge of the main body of the garment as described above. In other respects, the structure and operation of the garment 400 is similar to the structure and operation of garment 200 as described above. In particular, garment 400 provides diagonal side drawstrings 422 in a casing 420 stitched or otherwise integrated diagonally to a rear side of the garment 400 as shown in FIG. 8. The lower ends of the drawstrings 422 are attached to the rear panel 412. The drawstring 422 can slide through the casing 420 as the upper end of the drawstring 422 is pulled by a wearer. A side slit is provided at the bottom of the main body to provide the lower rear panel 412 and to enable the rear panel 412 to be independently raised or lifted up without raising the lower portion of the front side of the garment 400. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the diagonal side casings 420 and drawstrings 422 are configured to enable a wearer to grab the upper end of drawstrings 422 with each hand and pull the drawstrings 422 diagonally upward to lift the rear panel 412. This configuration can be more user-friendly as the diagonal orientation of the casing 420 can be easier for the wearer to grab the upper end of drawstrings 422 and pull up the drawstrings 422.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram representing a sequence of operations performed in a method according to an example embodiment. In accordance with the example method 1000, the method comprises: providing a garment having a main body with a front side and a rear side, the main body including sleeves, a collar, and a slit between the front side and the rear side of the main body, the garment including a casing integrated into the rear side of the main body, an upper end of the casing extending from a lower edge of at least one of the sleeves, a lower end of the casing terminating at a lower edge of the rear side of the main body, the garment further including a drawstring threaded through the casing and attached at a lower end to the lower edge of the rear side (operation 1010); pulling the drawstring at the upper end of the casing to lift the lower edge of the rear side of the main body (operation 1020); and releasing the drawstring at the upper end of the casing to allow the lower edge of the rear side of the main body to return to a non-lifted position (operation 1030).

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of components and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the description provided herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The figures herein are merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

The description herein may include terms, such as “up”, “down”, “upper”, “lower”, “first”, “second”, etc. that are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting. The elements, materials, geometries, dimensions, and sequence of operations may all be varied to suit particular applications. Parts of some embodiments may be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. While the foregoing examples of dimensions and ranges are considered typical, the various embodiments are not limited to such dimensions or ranges.

The Abstract is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments have more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

As described herein, a garment with a drawstring for raising a back portion is disclosed. Although the disclosed subject matter has been described with reference to several example embodiments, it may be understood that the words that have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed subject matter in all its aspects. Although the disclosed subject matter has been described with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the disclosed subject matter is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed; rather, the subject matter extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses such as are within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A garment comprising: a main body having a front side and a rear side, the main body including sleeves, a collar, and a slit between the front side and the rear side of the main body; a casing integrated into the rear side of the main body, an upper end of the casing extending from a lower edge of at least one of the sleeves, a lower end of the casing terminating at a lower edge of the rear side of the main body; and a drawstring threaded through the casing and attached at a lower end to the lower edge of the rear side, the drawstring being configured to lift the lower edge of the rear side when the drawstring is pulled at the upper end of the casing, the drawstring being configured to allow the lower edge of the rear side to return to a non-lifted position when the drawstring is released at the upper end of the casing.
 2. The garment of claim 1 including a plurality of snaps or fasteners down the front side of the main body to close an opening in the front side of the main body.
 3. The garment of claim 1 including a plurality of snaps or fasteners across a top edge of at least one of the sleeves.
 4. The garment of claim 1 wherein the casing is oriented vertically and sewn into a side of the main body.
 5. The garment of claim 1 wherein the casing is oriented diagonally and sewn diagonally into the rear side of the main body.
 6. The garment of claim 1 wherein garment includes a plurality of casings each oriented vertically and sewn into sides of the main body.
 7. The garment of claim 1 wherein garment includes a plurality of casings each oriented diagonally and sewn diagonally into the rear side of the main body.
 8. The garment of claim 1 wherein the sleeves are short sleeves and the collar is a rounded collar.
 9. The garment of claim 1 wherein a lower portion of the main body is a straight cut bottom.
 10. The garment of claim 1 wherein a lower portion of the main body is a short tail bottom.
 11. The garment of claim 1 including a telemetry pocket integrated into the front side of the main body.
 12. The garment of claim 1 wherein the collar is a double ‘V’ collar.
 13. A method comprising: providing a garment having a main body with a front side and a rear side, the main body including sleeves, a collar, and a slit between the front side and the rear side of the main body, the garment including a casing integrated into the rear side of the main body, an upper end of the casing extending from a lower edge of at least one of the sleeves, a lower end of the casing terminating at a lower edge of the rear side of the main body, the garment further including a drawstring threaded through the casing and attached at a lower end to the lower edge of the rear side; pulling the drawstring at the upper end of the casing to lift the lower edge of the rear side of the main body; and releasing the drawstring at the upper end of the casing to allow the lower edge of the rear side of the main body to return to a non-lifted position.
 14. The method of claim 13 including providing a plurality of snaps or fasteners down the front side of the main body to close an opening in the front side of the main body.
 15. The method of claim 13 including providing a plurality of snaps or fasteners across a top edge of at least one of the sleeves.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein the casing is oriented vertically and sewn into a side of the main body.
 17. The method of claim 13 wherein the casing is oriented diagonally and sewn diagonally into the rear side of the main body.
 18. The method of claim 13 wherein garment includes a plurality of casings each oriented vertically and sewn into sides of the main body.
 19. The method of claim 13 wherein garment includes a plurality of casings each oriented diagonally and sewn diagonally into the rear side of the main body.
 20. The method of claim 13 wherein the sleeves are short sleeves and the collar is a rounded collar. 